Grants and Contributions:

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Title:

A Novel Method for 3D Tracking of Spinal Curvature using a Non-Invasive 3D Camera and Deep Learning

Agreement Number:

967258

Agreement Value:

$22,000.00

Agreement Date:

Mar 24, 2021 - Sep 30, 2022

Description:

The aim of this project is to develop vertebra automatic segmentation and identification tools, in two different modalities: (1) pre-operative MRI scans and (2) per-operative surface scans. For (1), we will exploit existing public (open-source) spine MRI/CT datasets to train a convolutional neural network (CNN) for the task of segmentation. In contrast with existing methods, we will focus on combining local vertebra receptive fields with global spinal structure in a multiscale CNN framework. For (2), the goal is to segment and identify the level of the vertebra in a textured 3D point cloud of the surgical field of view. Since 3D point clouds are unstructured (no regular grid) in nature, we will explore graphical convolutional networks for the task of semantic segmentation. The pre-operative and per-operative 3D spinal segmentations could then be used to track the spine during the surgery and to assist surgeons in the realignment of the spine.

Organization:

National Research Council Canada

Expected Results:

In the short term, anticipated outcomes will be strengthened collaborations across industry, academia, and government to support research excellence. In the medium term, anticipated outcomes will be the development of new and potentially disruptive technologies with collaborators.

Location:

Montreal, Quebec, CA H3T 1J4

Reference Number:

172-2020-2021-Q4-967258

Agreement Type:

Grant

Report Type:

Grants and Contributions

Recipient Business Number:

107585226

Recipient Type:

Academia

Recipient's Legal Name:

Corporation de l'École Polytechnique de Montréal

Federal Riding Name:

Outremont

Federal Riding Number:

24054

Program:

Collaborative Science, Technology and Innovation Program – Ideation Fund

Program Purpose:

The Ideation Fund is intended to encourage, test and validate transformative research ideas generated by teams of NRC scientific personnel and external collaborators with complementary capabilities, acting as a demonstration phase for a continually-evolving suite of research and development (R&D) deliverables at the NRC. The fund supports exploratory research through two mechanisms: the New Beginnings Initiative and the Small Teams Initiative.

NAICS Code:

541710 - R&D in the physical, engineering and life sciences